No one doubted the ability of Jean Francois Gravelot, better known as the Great Blondin, to walk a 1300 foot tightrope across the gorge just below the Niagara Falls. Since announcing his planned attempt in June of 1859, he had not only successfully walked across the steep cliffs above the thundering river but continually added a host of entertaining stunts to his routine. Before 10,000 spellbound spectators he walked mid-way across the gorge where he lowered a rope to a waiting steamboat, 'The Maid of the Mist', 190 feet below. He drew up a bottle of wine, drank it, and then proceeded to the other side. Before reaching the Canadian side, the crowd went wild, as he executed a backward somersault.

Blondin crossed the Niagara Falls tightrope on many more occasions. He went on bicycle, blindfolded, with a wheelbarrow and on stilts. He went with hands and feet manacled. He swung by one arm and stood on his head on a chair. One of his more entertaining stunts was to carry an iron stove, skillet, ladle and various dishes to the middle of the gorge. He was able to set down the stove, light a fire, and while balancing precariously, cook an omelet. He would then lower it to 'The Maid of the Mist' below where the omelet was served to the passengers.

Blondin proved his ability to accomplish his claims. But his greatest feat was to carry a person on his back. With his manager secured by a harness with foot hooks, Gravelot would grasp his 35 foot balancing pole and make a death-defying trip across the chasm.

Blondin invited others to get on his back as he traversed his tightrope, including the Prince of Wales (who declined). People believed he could do it but did not want to stake their life on it.

The Bible tells us that our sins have separated us from God, creating a huge chasm that cannot be bridged by our own efforts. God's appointed Servant, the Messiah, alone, would have to cross that gorge on our behalf. Once the law, which demands that the penalty of sin be paid for, was satisfied by His dying in our place, His perfect performance (His righteous life) would be legally accredited to the account of those who believe on Him (piggyback on what He has done).

Many people give mental assent to Christ's claimed ability to carry them across the great chasm that separates man from God. But when it comes 'down to the wire' they are not willing to transfer the full weight of their trust to Him to do so.

The Apostle John wrote his gospel at the tail end of the first century to correct this lazy faith. He summarizes Christ's life with a collection of just over a dozen significant events that authenticate His claim to be the promised Messiah, the unique Son of God, and the only way by which a person can come to the Father (John 14:6).

In the 20th chapter of John's gospel, he states his purpose for listing these convincing incidents in Christ's life: "But these are written that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and THAT BY BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE in his name." (John 20:31 NIV).

The Apostles makes it clear that any belief in Jesus that falls short of staking your life in His unique ability to put you in right relationship with God is useless. The Old King James version of the Bible often translated the verb 'believe' as to 'believe on'. The idea is that we piggyback on the effectiveness of Jesus Christ's ability to save us completely. It is this kind of 'belief' that restores us to a vital relationship with God so that we may have an ABUNDANT LIFE (John 10:10, a shared transforming experience of an active participation in Christ's victorious, deathless, and purposeful life through the Holy Spirit).

He is alive! Stake your life on this fact. Truly believe and you shall receive.